how to see bullet holes-- 600 to 1000

[joshb]

They have a 4 wheeler at the range I go to, so I can remain lazy

Get yourself a young target girl! 20 something with an athletic figure! She can run up and take a pic for ya, carry your guns, etc. I hear they’re not cheap but I heard they’re fun!

 

[PatMiles]

My vote goes to Kongsberg Target Systems. CMP Talladega has them. Never had a problem. Unless it was shot that is...

Doesn't look like they sell an individual target system, only multiple target packages.

 

[707electrician]

I don’t think the drone would work for me, inless it would hover there while I’m shooting, as I want to see each shot as I am shooting. With the drone I’d have to fly it down there after I shot. thanks

A drone would work just fine. My Mavic Air will hover in place wherever you leave it without any input. Only problem is that the battery life isn't very long.

 

[hoz53]

For many years, I have used the 18" Shoot-N-C targets as a practice tool out to 600 yd. I tape a target to the cardboard insert that comes in the target package as a support, then black out all the lines and numbers with a fat black Sharpie, leaving only the red aiming dot in the middle. I also use a compass to inscribe the "9", "10", and "X" rings in the target face, which are also readily visible through the rifle or spotting scope. I can see bullet holes at 600 yd using this approach, both .223 and .308, out to 600 yd. Past that distance, you really want a camera system or a ShotMarker. Even with the increased contrast/visibility from the Shoot-N-C target face, reliably spotting bullet impacts past 600 yd is difficult, especially if there's much mirage. I buy sheets of the round black stickies to cover up the bullet holes after each shooting session. I can usually get at least 4-5 uses out of a single target setup before it's shot out.

The only real issue with the Shoot-N-C targets at 600 yd is that you want to limit the number of shots per target face to around 10-12. Otherwise, it can become difficult to conclusively identify the latest impact as the number of bullet holes increases, especially if you're shooting out the 10-/X-rings as F-Class shooters tend to do at 600 yd. It can also be a little difficult to see the impact when you hit the aiming dot, but it's usually not impossible to figure out where that shot went. I attached a few images below as an example of what they look like, on the first of the dual targets, there are both .223 (L) and .308 (R) holes. The other two targets are .223 bullet holes only.


I ordered a ShotMarker back in March and am hoping it will be here soon. FWIW - you don't necessarily have to make a gigantic frame for the ShotMarker. Because I will currently only be using it out to 600 yd, mine will likely be 36" on a side (haven't built it yet). Having used the 18" Shoot-N-Cs for years, I believe a 36" target frame at 600 yd will provide plenty safe margin for the sensors, yet not be so bulky or troublesome to transport as would be a much larger target frame. Obviously, I'd want it to be a little bigger at 1000 yd LOL. A shooting buddy uses a target cam system, which also works very well. Either one will allow shooting at much greater distances than the Shoot-N-C targets.

Ive never used the shoot NC targets. I have helped guys who used them by being their spotter and I could not see the holes that well even at 300 With a spotter. Mabie I am a blind guy. I certainly can see your shots in the picture. I’ll get an 18” one and try it. This pic is of 6 at 600 I shot today on a painted steel plate. They showed up plenty good to easily see through my scope. (42x). I hope the shot marker works out well for you. It is tempting to me. I will look into more details about the target frame. I think you’re right 36” square ought to be big enough for 600. I see some guys make them with hinges that fold. Ive gotta fit it in my not so large car. I’ll keep looking into it all. Thanks Ned

 

[hoz53]

A drone would work just fine. My Mavic Air will hover in place wherever you leave it without any input. Only problem is that the battery life isn't very long.

Thanks for that info. Ive learned enough about drones in this thread to consider one, where I didn’t at all before it.

 

[hoz53]

Get yourself a young target girl! 20 something with an athletic figure! She can run up and take a pic for ya, carry your guns, etc. I hear they’re not cheap but I heard they’re fun!

I’m guessing you’re speaking from experience not what you “heard”. A target gurl sounds good but don’t know how much shooting would get done.

 

[hoz53]

I don't know that I'd buy one just for this purpose but since I had drones for other reasons that's what I used. The mid-priced ones have a flight time of 30-35 minutes and they will hover exactly where you want them to. For an extended shooting session, say a couple hours, I just landed it at the base of the berm and shut the motors down. It keeps right on transmitting and recording whatever it sees with a lot less battery drain than when in flight. Then just hit the home button when you're done. I could see each shot on a cheap Android tablet or a not so cheap iPad Mini 5 (easier to see in the sun). Every shot gets recorded and can even be live streamed to YouTube if that's your thing.

Nobody tried it that I'm aware of but every gun guy when they see a drone either says or thinks "I bet I could hit that".

That’s a good idea Dave. I never though of landing the drone. Ifs it’s setting on the ground I wonder if it can see the target a few feet higher. I guess so. Obviously I don’t have any drone experience. And the other well yeah the first time I heard about someone using a drone at the range I was thinking where I shoot there would be some stuff going on.

 

[hoz53]

I use a 3x4 target that I can lift with one hand. You don't need a backer for a target; all you need is frame to suspend an aiming mark like a plastic pail lid suspended by string.

Good info thanks

 

[joshb]

I’m guessing you’re speaking from experience not what you “heard”. A target gurl sounds good but don’t know how much shooting would get done.

Nah, I walk the straight and narrow. I have a friend that went on a Christian website and started talking to a Philippine girl. This was 25 years ago. He flew over, met the parents and married her. She was 20 years his junior. From what I was told, after 16 or 17 years the woman turned into a crazy bitc& and he divorced her. A year later, he’s back in the Phillipines picking up a new wife that’s 35 years his junior! This one’s a cutie, too!

 

[300 weatherby]

Doesn't look like they sell an individual target system, only multiple target packages.

Sorry Pat.. I didnt Know

 

[bsekf]

75% of the hours on our K-Mule is driving back and forth to the 200 and 300 yard targets, I am lucky and have my own private range. I think a camera would be neat, but it is one more toy to break or malfunction. Any kind of smart phone camera would require wi-fi wouldn't it? Thinking a throwaway and stream video of the target back to your smart phone. Talk to your grandchildren, they can probably fix you up. A drone would be a complete new hobby!

 

[holstil]

I’ve been thinking about using a second phone and face timing. Behind a protective barrier of course.

 

[hoz53]

75% of the hours on our K-Mule is driving back and forth to the 200 and 300 yard targets, I am lucky and have my own private range. I think a camera would be neat, but it is one more toy to break or malfunction. Any kind of smart phone camera would require wi-fi wouldn't it? Thinking a throwaway and stream video of the target back to your smart phone. Talk to your grandchildren, they can probably fix you up. A drone would be a complete new hobby!

I try to not get carried away with all this stuff. At the range I go there are other members, so i generally can’t go down there all the time and i don’t want to anyway. 2 or 300 yards I can see the holes. If Im going to shoot 600 plus something to make seeing them possible is a necessity. I don’t know how to stream the video like you say. I will be finding out. Thanks

 

[hoz53]

I’ve been thinking about using a second phone and face timing. Behind a protective barrier of course.

Good idea but then a person would need 2 numbers and pay for two lines right? If you hung up by mistake or get cutoff you’d have to go all the way down and answer the call again. but if a person has the two phones allready it would be a cheap way to go. Thanks

 

[hoz53]

Nah, I walk the straight and narrow. I have a friend that went on a Christian website and started talking to a Philippine girl. This was 25 years ago. He flew over, met the parents and married her. She was 20 years his junior. From what I was told, after 16 or 17 years the woman turned into a crazy bitc& and he divorced her. A year later, he’s back in the Phillipines picking up a new wife that’s 35 years his junior! This one’s a cutie, too!

Oh ok if you say So. Sounds like your friends first wife didn’t take all his money. If he’s happy more power to him.

 

[Mikemontminy]

This topic was covered before. Here’s a link o building your own camera.

Building your own target cam

I had a couple people asking about building a target camera for the range so I figured I would try to post what I have for a setup and a parts list. To start off you will need a video camera. You can find these used on EBay for about $35.00 to $50.00. Be sure it includes battery and wires needed...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Ledd Slinger]

i need to get something to see each individual hole (6mm) as i am shooting to make these distances worthwhile shooting at to me. i know there have been plans around for target cams and there r some commercial models. what would be the best way to do this and/or device to use. thanks

Not sure if you’ve read other similar threads where I talk about getting an old style green body Nikon ED spotting scope but they will do the job and save you some money as well.

I was out shooting with one of the guys on here a while back at 871 yards. I had my Nikon and he had the Swarovski ATX (I also owned the ATX in the past and have a lot of experience with that optic). The conditions got rough at times but my old Nikon ED could still resolve just as well as the Swaro at all times. There were holes that neither of us could find when mirage kicked up but there was never a hole that both scopes could not make out. Difference of course is that I paid about $500 for the old Japanese made Nikon glass.

 

[hoz53]

Not sure if you’ve read other similar threads where I talk about getting an old style green body Nikon ED spotting scope but they will do the job and save you some money as well.

I was out shooting with one of the guys on here a while back at 871 yards. I had my Nikon and he had the Swarovski ATX. Both on the target. The conditions got rough at times but my old Nikon ED could still resolve just as well as the Swaro at all times. There were holes that neither of us could find when mirage kicked up but there was never a hole that both scopes could not make out. Difference of course is that I paid about $500 for the old Japanese made Nikon glass.

I do remember those posts a little. What power is your Nikon ED—

 

[hoz53]

This topic was covered before. Here’s a link o building your own camera.

Building your own target cam

I had a couple people asking about building a target camera for the range so I figured I would try to post what I have for a setup and a parts list. To start off you will need a video camera. You can find these used on EBay for about $35.00 to $50.00. Be sure it includes battery and wires needed...

forum.accurateshooter.com

I remember that- I thought mabie there would be some new info out there now. I’m gonna go back next look at that to.

 

[Ccrider]

I’m guessing you’re speaking from experience not what you “heard”. A target gurl sounds good but don’t know how much shooting would get done.

Plenty. Probably a lots more. Alternate guns!